The Sex Pistols are back! In what has the look of a major coup for the event, punk’s great trailblazers are among this year’s headliners at Electric Picnic 2008, which takes place in Stradbally over the final weekend in August.

The announcement comes hot on the heels of the news that the Pistols original line-up of Johnny Rotten, Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Glen Matlock have entered the recording studios together for the first time in 30 years.
“This is no soak-up-the-cash style reunion,” one Pistols insider told Hot Press. “They really mean business – they want to make a great record, and do the best shows of their lives.”
Ensuring that there is real strength in diversity to the bill, Franz Ferdinand headline on the main stage, Saturday, and Sigur Ros lead the charge on Friday. Overall, such is the strength in depth of the acts confirmed, that the ‘08 model already looks looks like the festival’s best line-up to date.
As revealed in Hot Press over two months ago, Sunday night in the Electric Arena sees the return to live action of legendary Irish indie superstars My Bloody Valentine. In a similar vein the great late ‘80s and early ‘90s Northern Irish band That Petrol Emotion are reforming to play the festival, while Christy Moore brings his own unique brand of live magic to the event on Friday night and Sinéad O’Connor is among the star attractions on Saturday night. Electric Picnic will also see a rare solo performance from Lisa Hannigan – an Irish artist who Hot Press believes has the ability to become a major international star.
The festival will also feature all of the familiar added attractions, including the Body and Soul Village, Pussy Parlure, Fossett’s Circus and, of course, the Hot Press Chat Room – which has featured intimate interviews with some of the festival’s biggest names over the past few years, including New Order, Flaming Lips, Bloc Party, Primal Scream, The Frames, Josh Ritter, Damien Dempsey and many more.
The bill boasts plenty of female sex appeal with Goldfrapp. CSS, New Young Pony Club, Cathy Davey and The Breeders all included in a hugely eclectic gathering.
The full line-up so far reads: Sex Pistols, Sigur Ros, Franz Ferdinand, Gossip, Candi Staton, George Clinton & The P-Funk Allstars, My Bloody Valentine, Duffy, Grinder Man, Goldfrapp, Christy Moore, Wilco, Underworld, Tinariwen, CSS, Tindersticks, New Young Pony Club, Josh Ritter, Lisa Hannigan, Cathy Davey, That Petrol Emotion, The Breeders, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Sinéad O’ Connor, The Roots, Kilá, Micah P Hinson, Hayseed Dixie, Juana Molina, Turin Brakes, Faust, Midnight Juggernauts, Mark Geary, Teitur, Blitzen Trapper, Absentee, Tartit, Conor Oberst, Tobias Froberg, Boss Volenti, Concerto for Constantine, Yacht, Lionheart Brothers, Noisettes, Dublin Gospel Choir... plus many more to be announced. There will also be a Jazz & World Music stage, programmed and hosted by Gerry Godley and the Improvised Music Company, and a Cooking Stage featuring the likes of Rachael Allen, Dylan McGrath and Kevin Thornton.
Weekend Tickets are €240/Family Camping Ticket is €480 for 2 adults & up to four kids under 12 to access to designated Family Campsite. There are no single day tickets. Campervan Tickets for access to Campervan Park are €60, available also from the same outlets. Above ticket prices include booking fee & VAT and go on sale 9am Friday 28th March from all usual outlets, www.ticketmaster.ie. Credit Card Hotline: Ph 0818 719300 Republic of Ireland / 0870 2434455 UK / Northern Ireland. Phone / internet bookings are subject to 12.5% service charges. Agents fee is €2.50.